Jordan Zimmermann tries to pitch the Nats to a sweep at Minute Maid Park.

It hasn't come as easy as they would have liked, but the Nationals have done just enough to win the first three games of this series in Houston and put themselves in position for a four-game sweep tonight. Really, you can't ask for anything more than that.

Jordan Zimmermann gets the ball for the finale at Minute Maid Park, hoping to create a new streak of six-inning starts after he went only five last week for the first time this season. He'll be opposed by Lucas Harrell, a pretty good right-hander who has a chance to earn his 10th win tonight — fairly impressive considering the team he plays for has only won 36 total games in 2012.

After a rough game last night that included a couple of confrontations with plate umpire Angel Hernandez and an ill-advised throw from center field in the bottom of the ninth, Bryce Harper is not expected to be in the Nationals' lineup. Probably a good time for the 19-year-old to take a physical and mental break.

I'm not in Houston, but I am en route to Phoenix as we speak for this weekend's series against the Diamondbacks. Enjoy tonight's game and the conversation…

Safe travels, Mark. Will look forward to having your updates from AZ.After having speed-watched last night's game, kinda cool that Robert Fick's nephew got in the game last night. Wonder whether he has such a colorful vocabulary as his uncle.

Come join Zofa (if he's able to make it) and me at Duffy's (2106 Vermont Ave., NW) anytime after 7:45 pm. My Groupon will cover the first $40 of beer and/or coke that we order. NL — Come after work. pRAA come so when we argue we can know who we're arguing with. Everyone else, come because watching three straight games from Minute Maid Park on your small screens is more than enough and because we need to wave the flag for our national pasttime and our home team which are apparently in competition with an NFL exhibition game tonight.

This Harrell kid is no slouch. He hasn't given up more than 2 runs since July 3 and when he played us back in April, he posted 6.2 IP giving up only 1 run. He's not too efficient with his pitches though, frequently getting past 100 in the 5th, so lets work those counts and get into that sweet Houston 'pen!

I definitely agree a weekend would be preferable. Unfortunately, having planned my vacation to not conflict with Nats home games, I'm not here for any away game weekends between now and when that $40 Groupon expires. Thanks for the regrets though, and I hope a few of you in DC will drop by. Otherwise Zofa and I will be drinking a lot of beer. And JD, a 4.5 hour drive is a lame excuse.

The Fox posted a link to one of these, but we've got an extra hour to kill tonight anyway, and these are way better than anything MASN is tossing up.Oakland's 2011 promos on YoutubeLook for the Gio/Zuke dunktank, and Hammer's Rohrschach test.

I'm going to watch the Nats, but I will peek at RGIII's first snaps as a pro.The thing that is so exciting about Harper and Griffin is that both of these guys seem to be the total package. Beyond their great athletic talent, both are sharp guys who were very good students academically. As we all know by now, both come from terrific families that gave them support, discipline and values. Seems there is great reason to hope that both will reach their potential.

Don't know if anyone has commented on this, but it's from Chase Hughes' short article describing the details of Cole Hamel's new contract:Signing bonus: $6 million2013: $19.5 million2014: $22.5 million2015: $22.5 million2016: $22.5 million2017: $22.5 million2018: $22.5 million2019: $19 million option or $6 million buyout.Substitute 'Strasburg' for 'Hamels' and you get an idea of why it's so important for the MASN reset to go the Nats' way.

Am I seeing something that's not there or did Zimm just bean Moore as retaliation for Galaraga beaning Suzuki last night?1B open, lefty power hitter, righty 8-hole guy next, 2 outs and he hits the guy in the knee? It also looked like the exact pitch he hit Hamels with in retaliation for Hamels hitting Bryce.

Was easy to watch RGIII way before the Nats game started.Small crowd online tonight. I want to test something out with whoever is here. I've been looking for an apt nickname for the Nats for some time now–Amazin' Nats is what they are, but that moniker was taken by the Mets 25 years ago.As I watched this inning, single after single, contrasted with all the home runs at Nats Park last week, a nickname just came to me—What do you think about the JuggerNats? You know, juggernaut is what they are becoming, kind of, anyway. Go JuggerNats! Thought I'd give it a try.

Thanks! You don't think this game will end up a 2-0 "laugher", do you?And I know the Nats aren't a real juggernaut yet. A real juggernaut wouldn't induce so many heart tremors. But by next year…..? I like to be a bit ahead of the curve. Been waiting since 2005, or really, since 1960, so I'd love to root for the JuggerNats.

Since we're testing ideas, how about a 'self-tightening batting glove' so hitters don't have to step out of the box and re-tigthen after every pitch?I believe, but I'm not sure, we have Derek Jeter to blame for that.Any inventors out there?

Faraz Shaikh said… how stupid is that hill? who designed that park? what were they thinking?Answers:1. Texas-sized stupid. The kitchen sink of weird.2. Salvador Dali, with an assist from Rube Goldberg.3. The same thing Nook Logan was thinking in 2007 when he made the "Where was he going?" play for the final out.

The Houston park was (and remains) and over-reaction to the Astrodome, where home runs went to die and pitchers thrived. Saw my first half dozen MLB games there when the Astros included players like Jimmy Wynn, Doug Rader (a superb third baseman), Cesar Cedeno, no-hit/great-field — until he lost that finger — Roger Metzger, Larry Dierker, and Don Wilson (RIP).

Actually… Nomar may have gotten there first?————-Since we're testing ideas, how about a 'self-tightening batting glove' so hitters don't have to step out of the box and re-tigthen after every pitch?I believe, but I'm not sure, we have Derek Jeter to blame for that.Any inventors out there?August 09, 2012 9:35 PM

NatsFan…,I think that was after I stopped following them so closely, but I do remember that Nolan Ryan — in his first game as an Astro (and first game back in the NL after a fair number of years — managed to hit a homer. I'm guessing the fences had been moved in a bit for that.

NL — did you head to Duffy's? So sorry. Just got home. Zofa and I did it right, and recruited a new Nats enthusiast for the blog. Grew up in DC but now lives mostly in NY. Lives to see the Mets lose. Very funny.Duffy's is a very hospitable place for Nats fans, and the food is fine, though the menu is very limited. We should definitely do a meetup there before the end of the year in late October.

Can't believe I missed it. DVR when I get home. Let me tell you about being in Philly. They seem to be totally ignoring baseball. Newscast– 1 minute of bare bones info, no emotion. All Eagles, not even seeing hats or anything. They have bailed on their team . So much fun reading your posts during the game when I finally get back to the hotel. Sounds like JZim was on tonight. Too bad Davey can't really unleash him. Much less stress tonight?

Grandstander said… This Harrell kid is no slouch. He hasn't given up more than 2 runs since July 3 and when he played us back in April, he posted 6.2 IP giving up only 1 run. He's not too efficient with his pitches though, frequently getting past 100 in the 5th, so lets work those counts and get into that sweet Houston 'pen! August 09, 2012 5:31 PM ___________________________________You really nailed it.

Looks like JMax absolutely robbed Werth. Saw a few highlights. The Beast crushed that first one. Drew still shaky? Nice to keep that shutout for JZ. Glad you all had an easier game tonight! Fans deserved a breather.

@Swami: Drew looked OK. Fanned first guy on a wicked slider. Then toyed with J-Max and walked him. McCatty was twitching. Clipp started warming in a hurry. Fell behind on the third guy but induced a game-ending DP.No save, but it wasn't really a Maalox moment either.

rogieshan said… Have to keep reminding myself: If Greinke hadn't balked, JZimmermann, DStoren & DEspinosa would be wearing KCRoyals unis right now. August 10, 2012 12:15 AM _______________________________Who was the 4th player in that rumored trade?How's about Greinke in Anaheim? Looks like a #4 pitcher so far.

Looks like Michael Morse is starting to break out … and this is probably perfect timing. Better to have the whole healthy Morse now. Now, if BHarp can get back to being hitterish … right now I think I'd rather have a Shark in my outfield than a powerless Werth.

Don't know what I would do without you guys on the road. Filling in all the insider blanks. Seriously- I will be doing some serious DVR watching this weekend. How about our rotation plus one? Six wins, starting with Lannan again.

Got back from the game a little while ago. Astros fans were great, definitely better than the East Coast trash that I've seen find its way into Nats Park. I was sitting at the wall directly behind Jayson. By the 9th inning, the Astros fans were starting to heckle him, to which I yelled out, "It's okay, Jayson, their team's in last place." It got a good reaction from my section. I've got to stand up for my Nats even on enemy turf. I've been to quite a few Astros games over the past few years, and I've never seen a ball hit as far as the one Morse put out. That was incredible. I had been 0-6 when the Nats visited Houston until today. Glad to have that turn around with a sweep!

Of course Peric would rather have Bernadina than Werth. god forbid he would have to admit he might be wrong on one of his evaluations (bench bat etc etc) Peric – Houston is the perfect team for you, go root for all those prospects they have. Forget about the first place Washington Nationals and all the real players that are here right now. On to ArizonaGo Nats!!

I don't consider Washingtonians East Coast trash. I lived there for 14 years and go to school there currently. I was referring to the NY/Boston/Philly fans of the world. But thanks for being so courteous.

Schumatrix said… I don't consider Washingtonians East Coast trash. I lived there for 14 years and go to school there currently. I was referring to the NY/Boston/Philly fans of the world. But thanks for being so courteous. August 10, 2012 1:25 AM __________________________________Just refer to them as North-East trash!

peric said… Looks like Michael Morse is starting to break out … and this is probably perfect timing. Better to have the whole healthy Morse now. Now, if BHarp can get back to being hitterish … right now I think I'd rather have a Shark in my outfield than a powerless Werth. August 10, 2012 12:19 AM _________________________________Powerless Werth? Did you not see that 420 foot HR that wasn't on the smash to CF that JMax caught?Its a HR in every park but 2.

Peric, the problem in the outfield isn't Jayson Werth right now, its Bryce Harper. Last night was the most production the Nats have received in the 2 hole since July 23rd.Is it possible for you to objectively look at simple stats like Jayson Werth had hits in 9 straight games until last night.

Here's Kurt Suzuki on Jordan Zimmermann: “The impressive part is he goes right at you. He ain't trying to trick you. He ain't trying to nibble. Here it is, hit it. That's the kind of mentality you need.”Looks to me like Kurt Suzuki is quickly on board with Coach McCatty's pitch to contact philosophy.

Juggernats? Eh, not so much. I applaud the effort, although I also think nicknames are best left to develop on their own. But that's just me.I love rally kittehs, NatsNut! :-)NatsNut said… Hey 222, wish I could come, I love Duffy's. Maybe next time. I'm currently watching the game with my recent charge – a purry rally kitty named Moo. August 09, 2012 9:07 PM

Gonat:Agree on Werth's power after that 420-ft. out.How do you work the Shark into the OF mix?Is it unthinkable to play him twice a week and rotate with the other OFs? Harper's hitting .143 since the ASB but Davey seems reluctant to mess with his confidence level.

Imagine that. :-)On a game note, after watching the final innings: This old person got the plastics reference, Bob, and yes, this old person was asleep, FP. :-)The Morse country song lyrics need some work.Scooter said…You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.August 10, 2012 8:34 AM